Purpose
Our company is committed to providing a safe work environment and recognises that workplace violence is a health and safety issue. All incidents and alleged incidents of workplace violence, no matter of what magnitude or whom it may involve, must be treated seriously and handled in the manner which includes immediate reporting to the supervisor/manager and, when required, the police. Whatever the cause or whoever the perpetrator, workplace violence is not to be accepted or tolerated. Sanctions will include immediate dismissal for perpetrators and criminal charges of the public encountered in the course of their duties.
Scope
This policy and procedure apply to all workers of our company and visitors including contractors, volunteers, work experience students, trainees, apprentices and clients.
Policy Statement
Workplace violence can present itself in many forms. Our company takes a position of zero tolerance in regards to workplace violence. Instances of workplace violence shall be investigated thoroughly. Perpetrators of workplace violence will be met with disciplinary action and may also result in legal action.
Bullying
Bullying is an offensive, cruel, intimidating, insulting or humiliating behaviour that includes physical violence or the threat of physical violence. It can be physical or verbal, direct or indirectly such as gossip. Bullying is considered harassment in general unless there is physical contact or a threat of violence, where it is considered violence. Bullying is an ill-treatment that is not addressed under human rights legislation or criminal codes.
Note – If you witness an act of workplace violence in progress or if an individual becomes violent and your safety is at risk, leave the area immediately and call 000 or the emergency medical service number in your area.
First aid and/or medical attention shall be provided as required through a designated First Aid Attendant, local medical care facility or the individual’s attending physician.
Inform your supervisor/manager and a member of the applicable Health and Safety Committee.
A number of different actions in the work environment can trigger or cause workplace violence. It may even be the result of non-work related situations such as family crises, alcohol or drug abuse, financial pressures, or legal difficulties. Workplace violence can be inflicted by an abusive employee, volunteer, supervisor, manager, co-worker, client, family member, or even a stranger. However, there is no sure way to predict human behaviour and, while there may be warning signs, there is no specific profile of a potentially dangerous individual. The best prevention comes from identifying any problems early and dealing with them.
Prevention
Prevention of workplace violence is the most important part of any plan. At its core, it involves awareness by management, employees and volunteers on the potential of violence and steps that can be taken to lessen the possibilities of an incident:
- Pre-employment screening – The adherence to present policies regarding employee and volunteer screening is essential to identifying potential offenders before they are hired or engaged.
- Code of Conduct – All employees and volunteers are to read, sign and abide by the Code of Conduct.
- Security – Maintaining a safe workplace is part of any good prevention program. There are a variety of ways to help ensure safety, such as employee identification badges and/or coded key access cards, guard services, video surveillance, alarm buttons and general awareness. Different measures may be appropriate for different locations and work settings.
- Dispute resolution – An employee or volunteer may turn violent, in part, due to a build-up of frustrations in the workplace. Use of our company Code of Conduct is key to providing individuals with a constructive outlet for their concerns. Where there is interpersonal conflict, Human Resources personnel can arrange for mediation.
- Work and Family Life Programs – The Society encourages supervisors/ managers to be flexible with work arrangements where work and family balance issues are raised. Typically, HR policies also include special leave for a variety of family-related issues.
- Finally, and most importantly, employees and volunteers need to be aware of the fact that interpersonal behaviours can dramatically affect the possibility of a violent incident. Relations among all those in the Society family, including clients, should include respect for one another and an awareness of the importance of human dignity.
- Furthermore, willingness to listen to and assist fellow staff members and volunteers can go a long way toward mitigating feelings of depression and helplessness that can lead to violent behaviour.
Rights
Everyone has the right to an environment that is free from violence, and the threat of violence, and to file a complaint when the environment is not free from violence.
Responsibilities
Employees & Volunteers are responsible for:
- Being familiar with applicable policies, procedures and programs affecting violence in the workplace
- Reporting any threats, physical or verbal, and/or any disruptive behaviour of any individual to the appropriate supervisor/manager being familiar with any local procedures for dealing with workplace threats and emergencies
- Taking all threats seriously
- In the event of an incident of violence, reporting it immediately to his/her supervisor/manager or police, as the case may necessitate.
Supervisors and managers are responsible for:
- Informing employees and volunteers of applicable policies, procedures and programs affecting violence in the workplace
- Ensuring that employees and volunteers know specific procedures for dealing with workplace threats and emergencies, and how to contact police, fire, and other safety and security officials
- Ensuring that employees and volunteers with special needs are aware of emergency evacuation procedures and have assistance (as necessary) regarding emergency evacuation situations
- Responding to potential threats, escalating situations and incidents of violence by utilising proper resources from the following: first aid providers, local law enforcement and medical services, human resources staff, and the applicable Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee
- Ensuring that all incidents of violence in the workplace are documented as outlined by the individual affected using the applicable Staff Incident/ Accident Report and Investigation Form. These forms are located in the first aid kits. The supervisor/manager shall ensure that Human Resources is advised of all incidents resulting in lost time from the workplace or if medical attention is required in order that proper documentation is completed and sent to Workers’ Compensation
- In consultation with Human Resources, determining whether sufficient evidence exists to justify taking disciplinary action or discharging the employee/volunteer once the investigation of any misconduct is complete
- Taking all threats seriously
Human resources personnel are responsible for:
- Providing for supervisory orientation which includes the setting of clear standards of conduct and performance, addressing employee/volunteer problems promptly, and using the probationary period, performance counselling, discipline
- Providing orientation curriculum either directly or through supervisory and managerial staff that includes workplace violence awareness for employees and volunteers
- Providing technical expertise and consultation to help supervisors/ managers determine what course of investigative and administrative action is most appropriate in specific situations
- Determining whether sufficient evidence exists to justify taking disciplinary action once the investigation of any misconduct is complete;
- Helping supervisors/managers determine proper reasonable accommodation
- Taking all threats seriously
Procedure
Where an act of violence has occurred:
- workplace injury protocols are to be followed, the perpetrator removed (by police where there is an ongoing threat) and the site secured.
- Authorities are notified if they have not been already, as well as management personnel and Human Resources.
- An investigation will then be conducted.
Where a threat of violence has occurred:
- management personnel and Human Resources are to be notified.
- If the person who is uttering the threat is at the worksite, s/he shall be removed prior to any further investigation.
- An investigation will then be conducted.
If there has not been a threat or an act of violence, the act may be considered harassment.
No investigation information is to be kept on the employee/volunteer’s personnel file with the exception of official disciplinary/termination papers. Similar to problem resolution cases, investigation information should be kept indefinitely in a separate file. Proven allegations of violence, including disciplinary action, was taken, shall be documented and form part of the employee/volunteer’s permanent record. Employee Records for further information.
Disciplinary action
An act of violence, committed or threatened, by an employee or volunteer is a serious offence. If the act or threat of violence is substantiated, the violent employee/volunteer will be subject to immediate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. The Society reserves the right to discipline those whose complaints are frivolous or vexatious.
Any interference with the conduct of an investigation, or retaliation against a complainant, respondent or witness, may itself result in disciplinary action.
Criteria for determining the level of disciplinary action shall be based on fact scenario and will take into account harm to the individual, harm to the Society and its reputation, and whether or not there was an unequal power relationship. Where the conduct involves, or may involve, criminal activity, the Society reserves the right to invoke criminal charges.
Employees and volunteers have a duty to disclose criminal activity. For further information, refer to Duty of Care/Client Protection.
More information
If you have a query about this policy or need more information please contact [list contacts].
Documentation
Incident Report